Grade Point Average (GPA) System

The University of Osaka (hereinafter referred to as “UOsaka”) has introduced a GPA system beginning with undergraduate students enrolled in AY 2014.

The purpose of this system is to contribute to the substantive enhancement of credits for classes offered at this university and the realization of advanced quality assurance in education, while also promoting the internationalization of education going forward.

Additionally, the grading standards have been revised starting with the curriculum for students enrolled in AY2026 or later, and the GPA system has been expanded to include graduate students.

Q1. What is a Grade Point Average (GPA) system?

The GPA system is a common method used in European and American universities to evaluate academic grades. It represents each student’s academic performance as a numerical value by averaging the grade points assigned to each subject taken.

Q2. What is a Grade Point (GP)?

Each GP is assigned a corresponding grade evaluation.

Q3. What is the purpose of introducing the GPA system?

The purpose of calculating the GPA as an indicator of academic progress and achievement is to enhance student motivation, support appropriate academic guidance, and promote the internationalization and quality assurance of education.

Q4. How will the GPA system be used?

The GPA can be utilized by course instructors and supervisors to provide academic guidance as well as by students themselves to help create their course plan.

Q5. To whom does this apply?

This system applies to undergraduate and graduate students (excluding credited, special auditors, and graduate students enrolled in law school programs).

Q6. What subjects apply to the GPA calculation?

The GPA calculation applies to Liberal Arts, Academic Major, and Global Literacy for which subjects are evaluated by examination performance in accordance with Article 10-7, Paragraph 2 of the UOsaka Regulations (hereinafter referred to as “Undergraduate Regulations”) and Article 11, Paragraph 2 of the UOsaka Graduate School Regulations (hereinafter referred to as “Graduate Regulations”), and which are required for graduation/completion as determined by each school, faculty, and/or graduate school.

However, subjects corresponding to any of the following conditions will be excluded:

(1) Subjects taken at other universities (including junior colleges) or universities abroad (including junior colleges), while enrolled as an undergraduate student at UOsaka.

(2) Subjects taken at UOsaka, other universities (including junior colleges), or universities abroad (including junior colleges) prior to enrollment as an undergraduate student at UOsaka (including subjects taken as a credited auditor).

(3) Subjects taken at non-university educational institutions (special courses at junior or technical colleges, or any other education prescribed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) that are considered equivalent to subjects offered at UOsaka and for which credits are awarded as an undergraduate student at UOsaka.

(4) According to Articles 14 and 15 of the Undergraduate Regulations concerning transfer students, subjects that are recognized as having equivalent or greater intellectual value to subjects offered at UOsaka.

(5) Subjects taken at other graduate schools, graduate schools abroad, or the United Nations University, while enrolled as a graduate student at UOsaka.

(6) Subjects taken at graduate schools, graduate schools abroad, or the United Nations University, prior to enrollment as a graduate student at UOsaka.

(7) According to Article 8-2 of the Graduate Regulations, subjects taken in special programs organized by graduate schools that are considered equivalent to subjects offered at UOsaka’s graduate schools and for which credits are awarded.

(8) Subjects which are related to international collaborative curriculum, taken by graduate students enrolled in graduate schools offering international collaborative programs at partner graduate schools abroad.

(9) In addition to those listed above, any subjects prescribed by schools, faculty, or graduate schools (Appendix).

Q7. What types of GPA are there, and how are they calculated?

“Semester GPA” is calculated for the current semester and “Cumulative GPA” is calculated for the entire duration of enrollment at UOsaka. Both Semester GPA and Cumulative GPA are calculated as follows. (The GPA will be rounded off to two decimal places.)

[Semester GPA calculation formula]

Semester GPA = Sum of (grade points earned per subject × number of credits per subject) per semester/Total number of credits attempted per semester

[Cumulative GPA calculation formula]

Cumulative GPA = Sum of (grade points earned per subject × number of credits per subject)/Total number of credits attempted

Q8. What is a “Withdrawal”?

If you find that the content of a class differs from what you expected or your knowledge is insufficient to complete the class, you will be allowed to withdraw from the class.

Subjects from which you withdraw will be marked with a “W” in the student affairs information system (KOAN), and will not be counted toward your GPA.

Even after withdrawal from a subject, you may re-register for the same subject in the following semester if desired.

Q9. Can I withdraw from required subjects?

Yes, you are permitted to withdraw from required subjects.

Q10. How do I apply for a withdrawal?

You can apply for a withdrawal through the student affairs information system (KOAN). The withdrawal application period will be one week during each semester. In general, withdrawal applications outside the application period will not be accepted. However, if you are unable to apply for withdrawal within the specified application period due to unexpected circumstances such as sickness, your application may be accepted.

Q11. What happens when a temporary leave of absence is taken after registration?

If a student applies for a temporary leave of absence after registration has ended, all classes for that semester will be treated as withdrawals.

Q12. How will non-attendance of registered subjects be handled?

Without officially withdrawing from a registered subject, lack of attendance and non-participation in exams for registered subjects will result in a grade F (GP = 0.0) which will be counted toward your GPA.

Q13. How will grade invalidation due to academic misconduct be handled?

Grade invalidation due to academic misconduct will be given a grade F (GP = 0.0), and will be counted toward Semester GPA and Cumulative GPA.

Q14. What happens to a grade F if the subject is repeated and passed?

Even if a subject is repeated and passed, the previous F grade will still be counted toward the GPA.

Q15. How can I check my GPA?

Your Semester GPA and Cumulative GPA can be verified in the student affairs information system (KOAN), within the “Grades” section under “Check Credit Record.”

Q16. How do I get a GPA Record?

The Academic Affairs Office can issue a GPA Record detailing your cumulative GPA and the record of subjects included in the GPA calculation.

Eligible students: Undergraduate students enrolled in AY2014 or later, and graduate students enrolled in AY2026 or later (excluding graduate students who transfer or are readmitted into the same academic year as those enrolled as of 31 March 2026).

Q17. What should I do if I want to know my GPA converted from the 5‑level grading system (S–F) to the 9‑level grading system (A+–F)?

You can find this information in the Supplementary Information Regarding GPA, which provides your cumulative GPA after converting grades from the 5‑level system (S–F) to the 9‑level system (A+–F).
To obtain the Supplementary Information Regarding GPA, please contact the Academic Affairs Office of your school, faculty, or graduate school.